Power mower



June 3, 1941.; A, KORSM km Re. 21,819

POWER MOWER Original Filed April 29, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 INVENTORSlu FRED KORS/70 ATTORNEY.

'June 3, 1941. KQRSMO ETAL Re. 21,819

I POWER MOWER Original Filed April 29, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNE Y.

June 3, 1941., A. KoR'sMo EFAL POWER MOWER Original Filed April 29, 19374 Sheet's-Sheet 5 INVENTORS Y fiR gg/V/W/VG I ATTORNEY.

June 3, 1941. A. KORSMO ETA]. 21,319

, POWER MOWER I Original Filed April 29, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 :ETg l4 II lNl Ezvrogi7o I fi-ww $25M A TTORNEY.

Reissued June 3, 194.1

rowan MOWER Alfred Korsmo, Hopkins, and Martin Ronning. St. Louis Park.Minn., assignors to Minneapolis- Moline Power Implement Company,Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation of Delaware Original No. 2,155,716,dated April 25, .1939, Serial No. 139,708, April 29, 1937. Applicationfor reissue Angust 25, d939, Serial No. 291,950

40 Claims.

is to provide an eiilcient and practical machine of that character inwhich the mover unit will not only track properly with respect to thetractor but will have a maximum flexibility of action mower unit shownin Fig. 1. with parts removed or broken away and with the cutter bar inthe so as to permit the cutter bar to operate close to the ground and insubstantial parallelism therewith even whenthe tractor proper istraveling over relatively rough and hilly fields. A further object is toprovide means of a novel and eflicient nature for transmitting powerfrom the tractor engine to the cutter bar of -the mower unit while stillpermitting the aforesaid flexibility of action with respect to thetractor unit; A further object is toconstruct the mower so that it willbe comparatively economical to manufacture and will be relatively simplein construction and light in draft resistance, thus economizing onoperating and maintenance cost. A further object is to provide the mowerwith a protective safety device so that in the event the cutter barshould strike an obstruction such as a stone or stump, the mower willbecome disengaged from the tractor on the cutter bar side and swing backand away from the obstruction. thus preventing breakage of, parts. Astill further object is to provide the transmission mechanism with asafety slip clutch to prevent damage to parts in case the cutter barblades contact an object such as a stick or small stone that may stopthe cutter without necessarily impeding its forward progress.

These and still other and more specific objects will be disclosed in thecourse of the following speciflcation, reference being had. to theaccompanying drawings, wherein is illustrated a preferred embodiment ofour invention:

1 is atop or plan view of a mower embodying our invention, showing themower, with portions broken away for purpose ofillustration, and ascoupled to a tractor, only the rear portion of which is shown.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation on the line 22 in Fig.1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation of a safety releasemechanism, as taken on line 3-4 in Fig. 1.

Fig; 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional detall as taken on'the line4-4 inFig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged rear elevation of the through the powertransmission gear housing and 1 vertical or inactive position to whichit is ad-' justed when the machine is being drawn in idle condition.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of the cutter bar holdup .rod detachedfrom the machine.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail elevation of the cutter bar raisingmechanism as seen from the rear end with the cutter bar partiallyraised.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the mower with portions broken away orremoved, and showing the cutter bar as raised to its maximum cuttingelevation by the hand operated lifting lever.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the cutter bar and linkagemechanism as taken substantially on the line 9-9 in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line ill-I0 in Fig.1, showing the pitman and sickle connections.

Fig. 11 is a sectional detail as taken on line ll-ll in either Fig. 1 orFig. 5. showing the foot lever raising connection.

Fig. 12 is a sectional detail elevation on line |2l2 in either Fig. 1 orFig. 5, showing the balance spring and hand leverage mechanism.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional elevation s ip clutch mechanism, asseen on line |3l3 in Fig. 6.

Fig. 14 is a sectional detail view, with portions broken away, and astaken on line l4l4 in Fig. 13.

Referring to the drawings more particularly and .by referencecharacters, A designates generally what may be considered the main mowerframe, which frame is in the form of an obtuseangled triangle and isrigid throughout itself. This frame comprises a front bar l5, lateralbar it, and an obliquerear bar [1, all rigidly connected at the threecorners of the frame. At its front, left corner the frame is providedwith a perforated depending bracket l8 (see Fig. 8) for adjustable(vertically) connection by a clevis or link l9 to the transverse drawbar 29 at the rear end of the tractor B. It may here be noted that thetractor may be of any commercial type, and has a seat or, operator'sstation 2| at its rear, over the usual platform 22, and between thewheel fenders 23 (Fig. 1).

The right side portion of frame A is not connected directlyto the drawbar 20. and consequently is free to move vertically, and with a portedentirely upon two wheels 24 and 25, arranged in tandem, and thesewheels, being of the caster type are free to swing in any direction, onvertical axes, which is necessary when the tractor is turned orreversed, and also under an emergency circumstance presently to beexplained.

The mower frame A is connected to the right hand side of the tractordraw bar 26, and thus retained in the normal, operative position shownin Fig. 1, by a releasable draft device shown in Figs. 1 and 8, and aportion of which is detafled in Figs. 3 and 4. This device includes adraft bar 26, which extends rearwardly from the tractor draw bar andunder the frame bar I5, the rear end of the draft bar being pivoted to across lever 21. One end of the lever 21 is pivoted to an angle bar 26,fixed on frame bar l1, and the other end of the lever is connected by alink rod 29 to the cutter unit, later'to be described.

The draft bar 26 extends' rearwardly and in normally spaced relationunderthe frame beam l5, passing through a guide bracket 30. This bracketis generally U-shaped in form and is secured to the frame beam I5, by apair of bolts 3|, encircled by compression coil springs 32. Thesesprings tend to hold the bracket up against beam i5, but may yield underpressure when there is a forced spread between members l and 26. Thismay occur either when the right hand traction wheel of the tractor dropsinto a ground surface depression or when the wheel 24 rides over a bumpand thereby raises its corner of the frame A with respect to thetractor. The springs 32 will of course restore the bracket to theposition shown in Fig. 4 when normal travel conditions are resumed.Meanwhile the bracket verse movement as between the parts A and 26. Insome instances it is found desirable to employ an additional guidemember 33. (Figs. 3 and 4) to limit the relative movements between frameA and draft bar 26 longitudinally with respect to.

I of a still spring 38, compressed between the lug 35 and nut 39 on theend of the rod. Between the-two lugs 34 and 35 the rod 36 is providedwith a slidable sleeve 40, which is held in a forward position by aspring 4| of relatively light tension and this sleeve carries anupstanding plate or lug 42 which is perforated to slidably receive andreleasably engage a generally L- shaped hook 43. This hook is eyed torotatably engage the eye 31 of bar 36, and when in normal,

draft connecting engagement releasably secures the draft device to aV-shaped member 44 that is fixed on the tractor draw bar 26.

From the foregoing it will be 'seen that under normal operatingconditions the draft tension between the bar 26 and member 44' will beabsorbed by the spring 38 and no appreciable sliding action of the rod36 in lugs 3435 will occur. Under abnormal conditions, however, asoccurs when the cutter bar meets with an unyielding obstruction, such asa stone ,or stump, then the added resistance will cause the bar 36 tocompress or shorten the spring 36, with a result that the hook 43 willbe pulled forwardly with respect to and out of the lug 42. The hook willthen im mediately disengage itself from the member 44,

and the right side of frame A, together with the will always beoperative to prevent relative transwill b free to swing backward andleftward from I). The frame C includes a transverse radius bar 45, theleft end of which has an angular extension 46 Journaled in a bearing 41of a casting 46, which is mounted-rigidly on the frame A. This mountingis effected by providing the frame A with a rigid, transverse cross bar49 and an angular,-

rearwardly extending bracket plate 56.

The frame C further includes an irregularly shaped casting 5| which istrunnioned on the right side end of the bar 45, for oscillating action.

on a transverse pivot; and this casting is further attached to the frameA by a diagonal brace bar 52. The more forward end of this bar has acoupling member 53, which is pivoted as at 54 to alug 55 of frame A(Fig. 2). The coupling 53 is threaded on the bar 52 and may be turnedthereon to adjust the effective length of the bar when necessary. Theright or rear end of the bar 52 has a swivel connection at 56, and on alongitudinal axis, with a forwardly extending and generally L-shapedarm' 51 of the casting 5|.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the frame C has a floatingaction, swinging on centers 41 and 54 and that the described connectionswill also permit the casting 5| and its arm 51 to be oscillatablyadjusted about a transverse axis, or on bar 45. This adjustment ismanually effected, and without in any way effecting the floating actionof the frame C, as follows:

The casting 5| has an upstanding lug 56, with a bolted extension 58awhich is connected by a tie bar 59 to the lower end of a hand lever 60.This lever is fulcrumed as at 6| to the side beam I6 of frame A and isreleasably engageable with a notched segment 62 to retain the lever inselected adjustable positions. As this adjustment is only infrequentlymade the lever is not shown as extended to within reach of the tractoroperator when on the seat 2|, but can easily be so arranged if desired.

The sickle unit or mechanism D includes a shoe forming casting 63, whichsupports the cutter bar 64 and reciprocating sickle 65 operating throughguards 66. The structure 64-65- 65, as shown, is of generallyconventional design. The shoe 63 is preferably provided with a runner 61for riding contact with the ground, when short cutting is being done,and also operates to automatically lift the cutter bar up overobstructions or hills to prevent the sickle from cutting or diggingintothe ground. The hand lever 60 is employed to adjust the workingangle of the cutter bar in a horizontal plane, i. e.,to tilt the guards66 up-or down. Draft is applied to the cutter mechanism by the bar 29which is pivotally connected directly to the casting 5|, as at 23a.

As already noted, the shoe 63 is arranged, under the floating action offrame C, to follow the contour of the ground and thus maintain theproper cutting elevation of the cutter bar under all normal workingconditions, and will also raise'the bar torlde over obstructions wheresuch obstruction lies in the path of the shoe 50. It is desirable,however, to provide manually operative means for quickly raising theunit D as when it is about to strike a stone or stump, and this isaccomplished as follows:

It may first be noted that the shoes 03 is tiltably connected to the arm51 and to a lug 50 of casting 5| by aligned pivot pins 59 upon the axisof which the cutter unit D swings when raised from its normallyhorizontal position. .Rigidly secured to the shoe 03 is an upstandingarm I0, which is also braced to the rear pivot pin 99 -by a brace barII, and this arm is connected to a ing I2, on the collar I3 of a shaftI4, by a linkage mechanism which includes a length adjustable coupler15, a chain link I5, and a bar link 11. The collar 13 is furtherprovided with a lug 18, adapted to engage link 11, as shown in Fig. 7,to effect a partial bar raising pull on the linkage, but is so arrangedthat it will disengage the linkage to permit the cutter bar to be raisedto its vertical position, as shown in Fig. 5.

The shaft I4 is provided with an actuating arm or extension I9,connected by a lift chain 80 to a rocker plate 8|. The plate 8| isrigidly secured to a square shaft 82,- at one end of which is journaledin a bearing 83 and the other of which is journaled in a bearing bracket84, both bearings being mounted on the cross beam 49 of the frame A. Ahand lever 85 extends rigidly upwardly and forwardly from plate 8|sothat it may be reached and manipulated by the tractor operator.This'lever has a releasable dog or latch 86 which may be engaged with afront stop lug 81 of the member 84 (as in Fig. 8) to hold the chain inits uppermost position. The

shaft 82 is further provided with an arm 08 connected by a tensionspring 09 to the bar I of frame A, and this spring has for its purposeto impart a counterbalancing action to the cutter units C and D, andthus also facilitate the adjustment movements. 0

A second or emergency means for oscillating the shaft 82, to lift thecutter bar, is provided in the form of an elongated foot lever 90, whichextends to a point adjacent the tractor operator's seat 2|, so as to beconvenient for quick action.-- The extreme rear end of this lever pivotsin an arm 9|, extending rearwardly from shaft 92 and an adjacent part ofthe lever is adapted to bear downupon the shaft to turn it forwardly, or

in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 11, when.

the lever is depressed by the operator's foot. The arrangement 9 is suchthat a more pronounced movement of the shaft, under action of lever 85,

is permitted without binding, as the arm 9| can continue to moveupwardly and forwardly without correspondingly tilting the foot lever.

It may here be noted that the linkage mechanism 'I0-''l1 is notoperative to lift the cutter bar D to its'idle or carry position shownin Fig. 5, and the lifting devices just described are not intended toeffect this extreme adjustment to vertical position. When this is to bedone, as when the machine is merely being pulled over a road or towandfrom the field where it is to be used, then the cutter unit is lifted tovertical position by hand and is releasably secured in that position bya detachable tie bar 92 (Figs. 5 and 6), which is provided with a hookat one end for engagement with a lug 93 on bar 45, while its other endis insertable in a suitable perfora-i tion 90, Fig. l in thecutter bar,and there secured by a hand turned nut 95 (as indicated in Fig. 6). Whenthe tie bar is not in use it can be conveniently secured in the channelof frame bar II, as shown in Fig. l.

Attention is now directed to the mechanism for transmitting power fromthe power take-off shaft of the tractor to the sickle bar of the mower.The cast transmission housing 48, as already noted, is rigidly mountedon the frame A. In the lower end of this housing is journaled, insuitable roller bearings, 95, a'pitman drive shaft 90, which shaft isprovided within the housing with a sprocket pinion 91. At its rear orouter end the shaft 96 carries an eccentric in the vform of a disc orrotor 98 having a crank pin 99, to which one end of a pitman rod I00 isattached. The opposite end of the pitman rod is attached to the sicklebar 55 by a ball and socket connection IOI. Thus, rotation of the shaftwill impart longitudinal reciprocating action to the sickle bar, and theconnection IOI cooperating with a second joint I02, near pin 99, willpermit the necessary flexibility of adjustment required in the variousassociated parts of the machine.

The sprocketpinion 91 is driven by a roller sprocket chain I03 from apinion I04 on a shaft I08 journaled in roller bearings I05 in an uppersection 48a of the housing at I05, and shims I01 may be interposed, aswear occurs, to take up slack in the chain I03. It may here be notedthat the housing not only completely encloses this transmission unit,but is preferably sealed so as to exclude dust and dirt and permits thesprocket mechanism to run in a bath of lubricating oil.

The shaft I08 extends forwardly through the upper housing section 48a,and into an overload or safety release clutch (Figs. 13 and 14) intowhich also extends a stub shaft I09. The shaft I09 is connected by auniversal joint IIO to a telescopic shaft III, that connects'by asimilar universal joint to the customary power take-off shaft (notshown) of the tractor.

The release clutch comprises a pair of flanged collar members H2 and H9fixed on the respective shafts I00 and I09, although shaft I08 projects,rotatably, into collar I I3. An annular ring Ill is pressed against theflange of collar II! by compression springs II5 secured about threebolts 5 which extend through the members H9 and H0. Lugs II1 of collarII 8 engage in notches II8 of the ring III, to thus prevent rotation ofthe ring relative to said collar. Inwardly opposing or contact faces ofthe members II! and Ill are annularly corrugated as at II9, thusproviding relatively flat and wide teeth and notches that normallyretain self-registering engagement and through which the power istransmitted from collar II3 to collar Should the sickle bar 55 engage astick or other obstruction through which it cannot cut then theresistance thus offered will be'transmitted back to the slip clutch, inwhich event the ring III will yield, under the action of the springs H5and the shaft I09 will be able to continue rotation with respect toshaft I08 without breaking any parts of the power transmissionmechanism. The noise produced by the escape movement of the teethofcorrugations II9 over each other will of course immediately inform theoperator so that the power can be shut off and the obstruction removed.

The use and operation of the machine may be briefly described asfollows:

The mower is normally drawn along behind the tractor B in the relativeposition shown in Fig. 1, and with the sickle unit D projecting tothrough the transmission elements III, II, I",

H3, H4, H2, I08, I04, I03, 91, 9G, 98, 98. I00,-

and III. Should the sickle bar 65 become stuck or jammed by anobstruction passing between the guard teeth 85, then the releasemechanism shown in Figs. 13 and 14 will operate to prevent the overloador excess strain from injuring any part of the mechanism.

The right side and rear portions of the frame- I A will have a fullfloating action with respect to the tractor so that it may freely followboth transverse and longitudinal undulation of the ground surfacecontour.

These oscillating actions occur about the hitch clevls or link I! whichsupports the front end of the frame A on the left end of the draw bar20,'the connection being such as to not only constitute a vertical pivotaxis about which the frame may swing when the connection 40- isreleased, but has sufficient play or freedom of action to permit theright side of frame A to move up and down about a horizontallongitudinal axis, and to permit the rear end ofthe frame, supported onthe wheel 25, to oscillate up and down about a transverse horizontalaxis. As the connection I9 forms a single support for the frame at thispoint it is apparent that these three axes substantially intersect eachother.

While thus moving, the frame A is supported at one corner (H) by thetractor draw bar 20, and at the other two corners by the caster wheels24 and 25. The hitch connection 26 is so arranged as to properlyequalize or distribute the draft pull to frames A and C, so that theseframes will always maintain proper operative positions with respect tothe tractor B, while movably supported 'on the casters. Should the cutter unit D contact an immovable obstruction such as a stump or stonethen the resistance will be transmitted back through the draft bar 26 tooperate the release detailed in Figs. 3 and 4. Under suchcircumstances'the entire frame assembly A, C, andD will be free to swingrearwardly and to the left on the pivot connection I! (Fig. 1)thusprevent what might otherwise result in serious damage. When theobstruction is passed the tractor is stopped and the draft bar- 26isrestored to its normal connected engagement with the draw bar bracket44.

The sickle unit D, when operating, is connected at 69 to the frame C,and the latter is in turn pivoted (as at 41 and 54) to the frame A ,insuch a manner that the units C and D have a full floating action withrespect to the frame A, but without in any way interfering with theadjusting devices or draft connections, which are free'to fully serve intheir respective capacities. Under these circumstances it will be seenthat the casting together with all its associated parts, including thesickle unit, are free to move vertically, or float, into both high andlow positions with respect to the caster wheels 24 and As the machineprogresses over the field, if the.

sired to further raise and secure the cutter unit. as when the machineis transported idle, then a greater lifting action can be produced bythe operator grasping the lever 85 and pulling it forward to latchingposition as shown in Fig. 8. This completely lifts the shoe B3 to itsuppermost position and partially lifts or swings the cutter unit. to itsvertical position. If it is desired to secure the unit D in its entirelyvertical position, as shown in Fig. 5, the unit is moved up theadditional distance by hand, which the linkage |0'|l permits, and isthere secured by the detachable tie rod 92..

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in thestructure, design, and details of the machine, as herein disclosed,without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.Having now therefore fully illustrated and described the preferredembodiment ofour invention, what we claim to be new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

1. A mower for attachment to a tractor or the like comprising a framepivotally connected at one side to the tractor," fore and aft wheelssupporting the other side of the frame and with freedom for selfadjusting movement with the ground surface in the direction of travel, areleasable draft connection between said other side of the main frameand the tractor, and a cutting device attached to and extendingtransversely beyond the said other side of the main frame.

2. A mower for attachment to a tractor or the like comprising a framepivotally connected at one side tothe'tractor, fore and aft wheelssupporting the other side of the frame and with freedom for selfadjusting movement with the ground surface in the direction of travel, amowtractor, comprising a substantially triangular frame pivotallyconnected at one corner to the tractor, caster wheels supportingtheother two corners of the frame from the ground, a working tooladjustably carried by the frame, a draft device connecting the frame tothe tractor at a point spaced from the pivotal connection, and

means, operable by abnormal resistance to the forward movement of theworking tool, for automatically releasing the draft device from the.

tractor.

4. An implement for attachment behind a tractor, comprising asubstantially triangular frame pivotally connected at one corner to thetractor, caster wheels supporting the other 'two corners of the framefrom the ground, a working tool adjustably carried bythe frame, a draftdevice connecting the frame to the tractor at a point spaced from thepivotal connection, and means, operable by abnormal resistance to the 5.A mower for attachment behind a tractor comprising a main frameplvotally connected to the tractor at transversely spaced pointstopermit oscillating movement of the ,main frame in a vertical planeparallel with the direction of travel but normally 'maintaining the,frame against transverse movement with respectto the path of travel, awheel supporting a front part "of the main frame with respect to theground, a

second frame pivotally connected, at spaced points, to the main frame,to permit vertical movement of one side of the second frame with respectto the main frame, and in a plane extending transversely with respect tothe direction of travel, and a cutting mechanism operatively connectedto the vertically movable-side of the second frame.

' 6. A mower for attachment behind a tractor comprising a main framepivotally connected to the tractor at transversely spaced points topermit oscillating movement of the main frame in a vertical planeparallel with the direction of travel but normally ,maintaining theframe I against transverse movement with respect to the path of travel,a wheel supporting a front part of the main frame with respect to theground, a second frame pivotally connected, at spaced points, to themain frame, to permit vertical 7. A mowercomprising a main, frame, meansfor establishing a draft connection between the frame and a tractor orthe like, said means allowing movement of the frame in a vertical planehis new, from a point longitudinally intermediate said fore and aftground wheels; and

means for transmitting power from the attached tractor to the sicklebar.

'10. An implement for attachment behind a tractor, comprising a mainframe pivotally connected at one lateral point to the tractor, a pair offore and aft icaster wheels supporting the frame at the side opposite tothe said pivotal connection whereby both ends of the frame may oscillatein a vertical plane at the wheel supported side and from a. floatingaxis between said wheels, a releasable draft connection between thiswheel supported side of the frame and the tractor, and a working toolcarried by the said frame. 4

11. An implement frame mounting for the rear of a'traactor, comprising aframe pivotally connected at one side to the tractor, fore and aftcaster wheels supporting the other side of the frame independently ofthe tractor, and a releasable hitch connecting the wheel supported sideof the frame to the tractor.

parallel with the, direction of travel but normally restraining theframe from movement transversely with respect to said plane, fore andaft caster means supporting the frame from the ground, a cutter barsecured to and extending transversely from the frame, and means ren- 8.A mower for attachment behind a tractor I comprising a main framesupported at one side by fore and aft caster ground 'wheels so that saidside will be self adjusting longitudinally with respect to the contourof the ground surface travelled over, a secondframepivotedto the mainframe for oscillating adjustment, at

one side, in a vertical transverse plane extending between said fore,and aft caster' wheels, a cutting unit pivotally secured at its innerend to the second frame, and means for adjusting the second frame andcutting unit to vertically andangularly'adjust the cutting unit. I

9-. A mower for; attachment behind a tractor comprising a main framesupported at one side by fore and aft ground wheels so that said sidewill be self adjusting with respect to the ground surface contour, asecond frame pivoted to the main frame for oscillating adjustment, atone side, in a vertical transverse plane, a cutting unit pivotallysecured at its inner end to the second frame, and means for adjustingthe second frame andcutting unit to vertically and angularly adjust thecutting unit, said cutting unit including a reciprocating sickle barextend- 12. A mower for attachment to a tractor comprising a framepivotally connected to the tractor, a cutter unit carried by the frame,a link connected at spaced points respectively with the frame and thecutter unit, and a re-' leasable draft device extended between the saidlink and the tractor.

13. A mower comprising a frame, a cutter unit pivotally supported by theframe, means for raising and lowering the cutter unit comprising an armsecured to the cutter unit, a shaft journaled parallel with the axis onwhich the cutter swings, an adjustable coupling between the arm andshaft and including a lug on the shaft and a bar link pivotallyconnected to the lug, a member radially extended from the shaft andadapted to engage the said bar link to partially raise the cutter unitbut to clear the same as the raising action continues, and means forrotating the shaft to bring about the raising and lowering of. thecutter unit.

l4.-An implement for attachment behind a tractor, comprising a frameflexibly connected at one sideto the tractor, longitudinally spaced foreand aft ground engaging means supporting the other side of the frame fortilting motion from the flexible connection in a transverse verticalplane. in response to undulations in the contour of the ground, aflexible draft device connecting the said other side of the frame to thetractor and providing freedom for such tilting movement of theframerelatlve to the tractor, and a tool carried by the frame.

15. An implement for attachment behind a tractor, comprising a frameflexibly connected at one side to the tractor, a releasable draftconnection between the other'si of the frame and the tractor, a workingtool supported from the frame at the side having the said draftconnection, and means for supporting the frame including a groundengaging member disposed between the tool and the tractor.

1s. An'implement for attachment behind a said fore part of the frame andfor ground surground wheel disposed between the cutting unit and thetractor and supporting the frame for vertical movements responsive tovariations in the contour of the ground, and a flexible draft deviceconnecting the wheel supported side of the frame to the tractor.

18. A tractor-mower comprising a main frame connected at one side to oneside of the tractor, a second frame adjustably secured to the mainframe, a mower carried by the second frame and extending laterallytherefrom, a link connected at its opposite ends to the respectiveframes, and a draft element connecting the link with the other sideofthe tractor whereby the draft transmitted thereby will be appliedthrough the link directly to both frames. I

19. In a tractor mower in which the tractor includes a drawbar, thecombination with the drawbar of a mower comprising a frame and cuttingmechanism carried thereby, said frame being pivotally supported on andconnected to the drawbar at a Single point of connection for pivotalmovement about both a horizontal and a vertical axis, said axessubstantially intersecting, and means for normally holding the cuttingmechanism in operative position.

20. In a tractor mower in which the tractor includes a drawbar, thecombination with the drawbar of a mower comprising a rearwardly anddiagonally extending frame and cutting mechanism carried thereby, aground engaging means supporting the rear end of the frame, said framebeing pivotally supported on and connected at its forward end to saiddrawbar at a single point of connection for movement about both ahorizontal and a vertical axis, said axes substantially intersecting,and means for normally holding the cutting mechanism in operativeposition.

21. In a tractor mower in which the tractor includes a power take-offshaft and a drawbar, the combination with the drawbar of a single framemember pivotally connected to the drawnism for the cutting mechanismdriven by the power take-oif shaft.

22. In a tractor mower in which the tractor includes a drawbar, thecombination with the drawbar of a single frame member pivotallyconnected to the drawbar at a single point of connectionfor movementabout both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis and extendingrearwardly and diagonally therefrom, a ground engaging means forsupporting the rearward end of said frame, mower cutting mechanismcarried by the frame, and means for holding the cutting mechanism inoperative position.

'23. In a tractor mower in which the tractor includes a drawbar, thecombination with the dra'wbar of a single frame member pivotallyconnected to the drawbar at a single point of connection for movementabout both a' horizontal and diagonally therefrom, a ground engagingmeans for supporting the rearward end of said frame, mower cuttingmechanism carried by the frame, and releasable means for holding thecutting mechanism is operative position, said means being releasable topermit the cutting mechanism to swing about the aforesaid vertical axiswhen the cutter bar strikes an obstruction.

24. In a tractor mower in which.the tractor includes a drawbar, thecombination with the drawbar of a mower comprising a rearwardly anddiagonally extending frame and cutting mechanism carried thereby, meansfor pivotally supporting and connecting the forward end of said frame onand to the drawbar at a single point of connection, and a groundengaging means supporting the rear end of the frame, said groundengaging means being disposed rearwardly of and substantially inalignment with the inner end of the cutting mechanism.

25. In a tractor mower in which the tractor includes a drawbar, thecombination with the drawbar of a mower comprising a frame and cuttingmechanism carried thereby, said frame being pivotally supported on andconnected to said drawbar at a single point of connection for movementabout both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis, said axessubstantially intersecting, and releasable latch means for holding thecutting mechanism and frame in operative position with respect to thetractor, said latch means being releasable to permit the release of thecutting mechanism and frame from the aforesaid operative, position aboutthe aforesaid vertical axis when the cutter bar strikes an obstruction.

26. In a tractor mower in which the tractor includes a drawbar, thecombination with the drawbar of a mower comprising a rearwardly anddiagonally extending frame and cutting mechanism carried thereby, aground engaging means supporting the rear end of said frame, said framebeing pivotally supported on and connected at its forward end to saiddrawbar at a single point for movement about both a horizontal axis anda vertical axis, said axes substantially intersecting, and releasablemeans for holding the cutting mechanism and frame in operative positionwith respect to the tractor, said means being releasable to permit therelease of the cutting mechanism and frame from the aforesaid operativeposition about the aforesaid vertical axis when the cutter bar strikesan oband a vertical axis and extending rearwardly struction.

27. In a tractor mower in which the tractor includes a drawbar, thecombination with the drawbar of a mower comprising a frame and cuttingmechanism carried thereby, said frame being pivotally supported on andconnected to the drawbar at a single point of connection for move mentabout both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis with respect to thedrawbar, and means for holding the cutting mechanism and frame inoperative position.

28. In a-tractor mower in which the tractor includes a drawbar, thecombination with the drawbar of a mower comprising a rearwardly anddiagonally extending frame and cutting mechanism carried thereby, aground engaging means for supporting the rear end of the frame, andpivotal means for supporting and connecting the forward end of the frameon and to the drawbar at a single point of connection, said pivotalmeans providing for both horizontal and vertical movement of the framewith respect to the drawbar includes a power take-off shaft and adrawbar, I .bar, said lifting means being lockable only when thecombination with the drawbar of a mower comprising a single frame memberand cutting mechanism carried thereby, means for pivotally connectingthe frame to th drawbar at a single point of connection,and drivingmeans for driving the cutting mechanism from the power takeoif shaft.

30. In a tractor mower in which the tractor includes a drawbar, thecombination with the I drawbar of a mower comprising a single rear--coupling bar movably associated with the frame '7 the cutter bar is inraised position.

34. In combination with a tractor having a power take-off shaft, a mowercomprising a substantially triangular frame supported on the tractor forvertical movement with respect thereto, a vertically disposed housingcarried by member and extending transversely therebelow,

a yoke carried by said coupling bar, a cutter bar hingedly associatedwith said yoke, a rockshaft movably carried in brackets secured to theframe member, lifting connections between the rockshaft and the cuttingbar, lifting means for rocking the rockshaft for lifting the cutter bar,and means connected to the aforesaid yoke and to the drawbar for holdingsaid cuttenbar in operative position. i

31. In a tractor mower in which the tractor includes a drawbar, thecombination with the drawbar of a mower comprising a single rearwardlyand diagonally extending frame member pivotally connected to saiddrawbar, a caster supporting the rear end of the frame, a coupling barmovably associated with the frame member I and extendingtransverselytherebelow, a yoke carried by said coupling'bar, a cutter bar hingedlyassociated with said yoke, a rockshaft movably carried in bracketssecured to the frame.

member, lifting connections between the rockthe frame, a mower framecarried by said housing for movement about a vertical axis, cuttingmechanism on the mower frame, and drive mechanism located entirelywithin the housing and operatively connected to the power take-01f shaftand to the cuttingmechanism.

35. In combination with a tractor having a power take-off shaft, a mowercomprising a substantially triangular frame structure supported at itsforward end on the tractor, ground engaging means supporting therearward end of the frame, a mower frame including a single vertishaftand the cutter bar, lifting means carried i drawbar at a single point ofconnection for movement about both a horizontal axis and a verticalaxis, said axes substantially intersecting, releasable latch means forholding the cutting mechanism and frame in operative position withrespect to the tractor, said latch means being releasable to permit therelease of the cutting mechanism callydisposed housing support carriedby the first-frame, cutting mechanism carried by the mower frame, anddrive mechanism associated with the mower frame andflocated entirelywithin the housing and driven by the power take-oil shaft of thetractor, said drive mechanism including a driving connection to thecutting mechanism, said driving connection being located rearwardly ofthe housing support.

36. In combination with a tractor having a power take-off shaft, a mowercomprising a frame structure supported at its forward end on thetractor, ground engaging means supporting the rearward end of the frame,a vertically disposed housing carried by said frame, a mower framesupported by the housing, cutting mechanism carried by the mower, drivemechanism carried and entirely enclosed by said housing,

a flexible drive connection between the drive mechanism and the tractorpower take-01f shaft, and a pitman operatively connecting the cuttingmechanism and the drive mechanism, said pitman being located rearwardlyof the aforesaid shaft, and a lower shaft connected at its rear andframe from the aforesaid operative position about the aforesaid verticalaxis when the, cutter bar strikes an obstruction, and a balancing springconnected at one end to the cutting mechanism andat the other end to apoint rearward of the drawbar.

33. In a tractor mower in which the tractor includes a drawbar, thecombination with the drawbar of a mower comprising a rearwardly anddiagonally extending frame and cutting mechanism floatably carriedthereby, a ground end to the cutting mechanism.

38. In combination with a tractor having a power take-off shaft, a mowercomprising 'a frame supported on the tractor for vertical movement withrespect thereto, a vertically disposed housing carried by the frame, amower frame bar having a forward extension at one end journaled to saidhousing, cutting mechanism at the other end of the mower frame bar, anddrive mechanism entirely enclosed within the housing and operativelyconnected to the power take-off shaft and to the cutting mechanism.

39. In combination with a tractor having a power take-off shaft, a mowercomprising a frame structure supported-at its forward end on x thetractor, ground engaging means supporting the rearward end of the frame,a generally vertical drive mechanism housing mounted on the frame,amower frame hingedly secured at one end to the housing, cuttingmechanism carried by the mower frame, and drive mechanism asso-.

ciated with the mower frame and driven through said housing by the powertake-ofl shaft of the tractor, said drive mechanism. including a drivingconnection to' the cutting mechanism. said the housing.

40. In combination with a tractor having a power take-off shaft, 2.mower comprising a frame structure supported at its i'orward'end on thetractor, ground engaging means supporting the rearward end of the frame,a vertically disposed housing carried by saidframe, a mower framepivotally supported at one end by the housing, cutting mechanism carriedby the mower, drive mechanism carried and enclosed I by said housing, aflexible drive connection driving connection being located rearwardly ofbetween the drive mechanism and the tractor power take-ofl'shaft, and apitman operatively,

connecting the cutting mechanism and the drive mechanism, said pitmanbeing located rearwardly of the aforesaid-housing, and said groundengaging means including not more than one wheel disposed rearwardly ofthe cutting-mech- 3 anism.

ALFRED KORSMO. MARTIN Rommrg.

